Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Matthew 23:5

MATTHEW—NOTE ON Matthew 23:5 phylacteries. Small cube-shaped cases made of leather, containing Scripture passages written on parchment. They were worn on the left arm and forehead as a literal way to obey Deuteronomy 11:18. fringes. These tassels with a blue cord attached to the four corners of a man’s garment (Numbers 15:37) reminded people to obey God’s commandments and to be holy (Numbers 15:40).

⇐ ⇔ ⇒
Continues after advertising

See also Matthew 23:5 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Matthew 23:5. _ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO FOR TO BE SEEN OF MEN_] In pointing out the corruptions of these men, our Lord gives us the distinguishing characteristics of all false teachers, whether J...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEIR PHYLACTERIES - The word “phylactery” comes from a word signifying to keep, preserve, or guard. The name was given because phylacteries were worn as amulets or charms, and were supposed to defend...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    11. THE WOES OF THE KING AND HIS LAMENTATION OVER JERUSALEM. CHAPTER 23 1. The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees.(Matthew 23:1 .) 2. The Woes of the King upon Them.(Matthew 23:13 .) 3. The Lamentation over...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    WARNINGS TO THE PEOPLE AND THE DISCIPLES. Matthew 23:2 f. Loisy regards this as an interpolation (by a Judaising redactor) out of harmony with the attack that follows. Holtzmann thinks it is Mt.'s, b...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    They perform all their actions to be seen by men. They broaden their phylacteries; they wear outsize tassels. They love the highest places at meals, and the front seats in the synagogues, and greeting...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (Matthew 23:1-39) If a man is characteristically and temperamentally an irritable, ill-tempered and irascible creature, notoriously given to uncontrolled outbursts of passionate...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    FOR TO BE SEEN. to be gazed upon as. spectacle. Same word as "see" in Matthew 22:11. FOR. for the purpose. Greek. _pros._ App-104. PHYLACTERIES. Greek. _phulakterion._ Occ only here. See notes, &c, o...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _phylacteries_ Greek φυλακτήρια = "defences," and in late Greek "amulets" or "charms." The Hebrew name, _tephillin_, which is still in use, signifies "prayers." They were slips of parchment inscribed...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Matthew 23:1-36. A PROPHETIC ODE, DENOUNCING THE PHARISEES AND THE RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY OF THE AGE Each division is marked by its special beauty of poetical form....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    In _textus receptus_ τῶν ἱματίων αὐτῶν follows κράσπεδα. Rightly omitted. 5. ΤᾺ ΦΥΛΑΚΤΉΡΙΑ. Literally, ‘defences,’ and in late Greek ‘amulets’ or ‘charms.’ The Hebrew name, _tephillin_, which is still...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF THE PHARISEES They are the successors of Moses, Matthew 23:2; but they say and do not, 3–7. Only a part of this discourse appears in the other Synoptics; for this portion cp....

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 5. "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6. And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _WOE TO THOSE THAT ARE RELIGIOUS FOR THE WRONG MOTIVES MATTHEW 23:1-12:_ Jesus taught His followers to "observe and do" what the Pharisees taught as they, "sat in Moses' seat." They knew and understoo...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΡΟΣ ΤΌ с _inf._ выражает цель (TDNT). ΘΕΑΘΉΝΑΙ _aor. pass. inf. от_ ΘΕΆΟΜΑΙ (G2300) смотреть на кого-л.; предполагает внимательное и обдуманное рассмотрение, связанное с оценкой объекта (AS), ΠΛΑΤΎ...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO, &C.— "Any good action which they happen to perform, is vitiated by the principle from which it proceeds. They do it with a view to popular applause, and not from a regard to G...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    TEXT: 23:5-12 5 But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders _of their garments,_ and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief se...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, BUT ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO FOR TO BE SEEN OF MEN. Whatever good t...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    23:5 phylacteries (b-17) * See 'frontlets,' Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11.18. borders (c-21) * See Numbers 15:37-39 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    DENUNCIATION OF THE PHARISEES 1-36. Final denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees. The other synoptists insert in this place a brief utterance directed against the scribes (Mark 12:38; Luke 20:45),...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    MAKE BROAD THEIR PHYLACTERIES] Every male Jew above the age of thirteen was required to say both morning and evening, except on sabbaths and feasts, when the synagogue services took their place, 'the...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 23 JESUS ACCUSES THE *PHARISEES 23:1-12 V1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his *disciples. V2 ‘The men who teach the *Law and...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    TO BE SEEN OF MEN. — As with a clear insight into the root-evil of Pharisaism, and of all kindred forms of the religious life, our Lord fixes, as before in Matthew 6:1, on the love of man’s applause a...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    6; Matthew 22:1; Matthew 23:1 CHAPTER 17 Conflict in the Temple - Matthew 21:18 - Matthew 22:1 -...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The foregoing statement is of course to be taken _cum grano_. Teachers who absolutely disregarded their own laws would soon forfeit all respect. In point of fact they made a great show of zeal in doin...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    πάντα δὲ, etc., in so far as they comply with their rules they act with a view to be seen of men. This is a repetition of an old charge (Matthew 6). πλατύνουσι γὰρ, etc.: illustrative instances drawn...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Introduction to the discourse_....

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    HUMBLING THE SELF-EXALTED Matthew 23:1-12 These words were addressed to the disciples and the crowds that had gathered around. The Jewish religious leaders divorced morality and religion, and insist...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This chapter is one of the most sublime and awful in the whole inspired volume. It records the last words of Jesus to the crowds. He summed up, He reached His verdict, He pronounced sentence. It is a...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (3) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their (c) phylacteries, and enlarge (d) the borders of their garments, (3) Hypocrites are ambitious. (c) It was a thread or ribb...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    Phylacteries. [1] These were pieces or scrolls of parchment, on which were written the ten commandments, or some sentences of the law, which the Jews were accustomed to fasten to their foreheads, or t...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    WARNINGS AGAINST THE EVIL EXAMPLE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES It is still Wednesday, and the last day our Lord ever spoke in the temple. These scribes and Pharisees are thronging Him on all sides, be...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do n...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We now enter on the Lord's final presentation of Himself to Jerusalem, traced, however, from Jericho; that is, from the city which had once been the stronghold of the power of the Canaanite. The Lord...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    5._And all their works they do that they may be seen by men. _He had lately said that the _scribes _live very differently from what they teach; but now he adds that, if they have any thing which is ap...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Chapter 23 clearly shews how far the disciples are viewed in connection with the nation, inasmuch as they were Jews, although the Lord judges the leaders, who beguiled the people and dishonoured God b...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BUT ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO FOR TO BE SEEN OF MEN,.... All their prayers, alms deeds, and fastings, were all done in a public manner, that men might behold them, and they might have applause and glory...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, Ver. 5. _To be seen of men_] Theatrically, thrasonically, and for ost...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _All their works they do to be seen of men_ They have the praise of men in view in all their actions. Hence they are constant and abundant in those duties of religion which come under the observation...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    PHYLACTERIES; slips of parchment worn about their persons, on which were written some divine precepts. The Pharisees made them broader than others, to intimate that they were more holy. For the same p...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    BUT ALL THEIR WORKS THEY DO FOR TO BE SEEN OF MEN; THEY MAKE BROAD THEIR PHYLACTERIES, AND ENLARGE THE BORDERS OF THEIR GARMENTS,...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Their passion for honor from men:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The Lord now turns to speak to the entire crowd, His disciples being mentioned as included. He warns them against the hypocrisy of scribes and Pharisees, for they sat in Moses' seat as enforcers of th...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-12 The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses, and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance; but God search...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; Our Saviour had, MATTHEW 23:4 blamed the Pharisees for not living up to what they taught, pressing the law of God on others, but not doing nor endeavouring to observe it themselves. Here he bl...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 23:5 But G1161 all G3956 their G846 works G2041 do G4160 (G5719) to G4314 seen G2300 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    a “But all their works they do to be seen of men, b For they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders (or tassels) of their garments, b And love the chief place at feasts, and the chie...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    WORDS IN THE TEMPLE (23:1-39). a Exhortation to His disciples and the crowds not to be like the Scribes and Pharisees, but to be doers and not hearers only. In contrast to the Scribes and Pharisees t...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS PASSES JUDGMENT ON THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES AND DESCRIBES THE DEVASTATIONS COMING ON THE WORLD PRIOR TO HIS COMING AGAIN AND THE JUDGMENT THAT WILL FOLLOW (23:1-25). Having made clear that He h...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    EXHORTATION TO HIS DISCIPLES AND THE CROWDS NOT TO BE LIKE THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, BUT TO BE DOERS AND NOT HEARERS ONLY, AND RATHER TO BE HUMBLE AND LOWLY, TREATING EACH OTHER AS BEING AS GOOD IF N...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Matthew 23:5. BUT ALL THEIR WORKS. Their extensive routine of duty was not really religious, but performed with this motive: TO BE SEEN OF MEN. Self-righteousness rests on pride, and, inevitably becom...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    This discourse (peculiar to Matthew) was delivered on Tuesday preceding the crucifixion, although similar sayings (found in Luke 11:13) were uttered on a previous occasion. The intercourse with the Ph...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    TO BE SEEN OF MEN (προς το θεαθηνα τοις ανθρωποις). See Matthew 6:1 where this same idiom occurs. Ostentation regulates the conduct of the rabbis.PHYLACTERIES (φυλακτηρια). An adjective from φυλακ...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    PHYLACTERIES Passages of Scripture enclosed in a small case, bound upon arm or forehead, (Deuteronomy 6:8)....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus denounces woes upon the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. His lament over Jerusalem. CHARACTERS: Jesus. CONCLUSION: Nothing is more displeasing to our Lord Jesus Christ than hyprocrisy,...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 23:2. _Sit in Moses' seat._ The sanhedrim had seventy one chairs of gold, or rather gilt with gold. The council which sat at Alexandria had also chairs of gold. The highpriest was the presiden...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    JUST SO PEOPLE WILL SEE THEM. They wanted to make everyone think they were holy. They made containers of calf skin, put verses of Scripture written on parchment in these, and then fastened them on the...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat._ CHRIST’S REPROACHES OF PHARISEES There must be some just, reasonable, and great cause of our Lord’s indignation, and this we find was an accumulat...

  • The Gospels Compared

    JESUS WARMS AGAINST THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS MATTHEW 23:1-12; MARK 12:38-40; LUKE 20:45-47; MATTHEW 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the mul

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 23 _Then Jesus spake_, &c. _Then_, that is to say, when, by His most wise answers and reasonings, He had confounded the errors of the Scribes and Pharisees, and had proved that He was the Mes...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 23:1. THEN SPAKE JESUS.—The day of grace is over for the leaders of the people; but for the people themselves there may still be hope; so the Lord of the temple turns to THE M...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION MATTHEW 23:1 _Denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees, and lamentation over Jerusalem which followed their guidance to her own destruction. _(Peculiar to St. Matthew.) MATTHEW 23:1 TH...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Matthew's gospel twenty-three. Jesus has been at the temple and He was challenged as to His authority by these priests, and then He was asked questions by the scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees. An...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    2 Kings 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Deuteronomy 22:12; Deuteronomy 6:8;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    To be seen [π ρ ο ς τ ο θ ε α θ η ν α ι]. See Matthew 6:1, where the same word occurs. The scribes and Pharisees deport themselves with a view to being contemplated as actors in a theatre; so that men...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Their phylacteries — The Jews, understanding those words literally, It shall he as a token upon thy hand, and as frontlets between thine eyes, Exodus 13:16. And thou shalt bind these words for a sign...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    In these words our blessed Saviour admonishes his disciples and the multitude to take heed of imitating the Pharisees in their ostentation and hypocrisy, in their ambition and vain-glory; and he insta...

Continues after advertising